Cherry tree named ‘FIRELAM’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree denominated ‘FIRELAM’ has fruits with large size and dark red skin color, very firm, and with a good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its good handling and storage qualities.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus avium(L.) L.

Variety denomination: ‘FIRELAM’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2012/0750 filed on Apr. 2, 2012 (Apr. 2, 2012) which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and reproduction oforchard trees, among which peaches, nectarines, apricots, apples, andcherries are exemplary. It was against this background of our activitiesthat the present variety of cherry tree was originated and reproduced byus in our experimental orchard located near Elne, Pyrénées Orientalesdepartment (an administrative district), France.

2. Origin of the Variety

The present invention relates to a new a distinct variety of cherry treePrunus avium L. which has been given the variety denomination ‘FIRELAM’.This tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration bothon the trees after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality with a red flesh for fresh market in June in the PyrénéesOrientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘FOLFER’ cherry tree(non patented) and to ‘RUBILAM’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,798)for reliable description. ‘FIRELAM’ is a promising candidate forcommercial success in that it produces very attractive fruits having along shelf life.

The present new variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium L.) was developedby us in our experimental orchard located in France. ‘FIRELAM’ cherrytree originated in a cultivated area of the South of France, in thePyrénées-Orientales department where it was also tested. This zone alsocalled Roussillon is subject to a Mediterranean climate. The winter isgenerally mild, that is to say the total amount of cold hours lower than7° C. (Celsius) varies from 600 hours to 1200 hours. The summer is hotand dry, that is to say the total amount of sunshine hours is an averageof 2400 hours to 2800 hours per year. The prevailing wind is called“Tramontane”: it dries the air and clear the sky from cloud but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruits quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen and the summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘FIRELAM’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the cherrytree variety named ‘INRA 3364’ (non patented) which was used as the seedparent. Thus, the pollen parent is unknown.

‘FIRELAM’ variety was provisionally designated, tested and geneticallyidentified by a genetic profile under number 02.14.52CE-ASF0607 and wasregistered at the Official Catalogue of the Agricultural Ministry of theFrench Republic on Nov. 27, 2011, under the number 4049394. The‘FIRELAM’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by graftingon a ‘Maxma 14’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determinedto have unique tree and fruits characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruits production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock tree set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexuallypropagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas asexually reproduced by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety ‘FIRELAM’ produces fruits of large size, very firm, witha semi-sweet flavor, low acidity, and a dark red color. The bloomingperiod is semi-early for the variety, namely at the end of March. Thematurity period is late, generally from end of May to beginning of Junein the South of France. However, it was observed that its early date ofblooming and maturity seems to be highly dependant on climaticconditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyas depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in colorillustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained at theElne Experiment Station, South of France.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows four whole fruits of the newvariety, and a fifth fruit, cut in a half, with the stone being left inone of the halves, for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit, and the pitcavity of the new variety.

FIG. 3 shows typical white flowers of ‘FIRELAM’ variety at blooming withsome leaves for depicting the flower buds at different stages ofdevelopment; and the reverse and side view of the flowers and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruitsof the new variety ‘FIRELAM’ at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofcherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations ofspecimens grown near Elne, South of France, with color in accordancewith The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

The trees, flowers and fruits may vary in slight detail due tovariations in soil type, cultural practices and climatic conditions.

The main characteristics of this new variety of sweet cherry are a largeor very large fruit size with a color of skin considered dark red. Thefruit flesh is medium red on cream. The fruit is very firm.

The time of beginning of flowering is semi-early whereas the time ofbeginning of fruit ripening is considered late.

In comparison with the cherry tree ‘FOLFER’ (non-patented), the presentvariety ‘FIRELAM’ ripens generally 14 days later and bloomsapproximately at the same time with a more staggered blooming period.

Compared to ‘RUBILAM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,798) cherry tree,‘FIRELAM’ blooms approximately 5 days earlier and ripens 9 days laterthan ‘RUBILAM’.

Concerning the resistance to pests and diseases ‘FIRELAM’ is lowsensitive to Monilia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of cherry tree, the following has been observed ontrees on their fifth growing season (fourth year of production) underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near thetown of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.

All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock wasa “MAXMA 14” tree. All major color code designations are by reference toThe R.H.S. Colour Chart 2001 (Fourth Edition) provided by The RoyalHorticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Generally.—The first year the cherry tree is generally cut            at 2.50 meters height. The length in one year for each            lateral shoot varies from 0.60 meters to 0.80 meters. We are            cutting the cherry trees during the second year to a height            of 2.50 meters. The form of the cheery trees is cylindrical            and the diameter is limited to 2 meters. Size. Medium to            high as compared to other commercial sweet cherry cultivars.            The tree size the first year was approximately 2.50 meters.            The tree was pruned during each following dormant season to            a height of approximately 2.50 meters. Current seasons            shoots growth could reach 0.80 meters. So the tree size from            the second year (second and next years) reached a final            height of 3.10 to 3.30 meters with current seasons shoots            length comprised. Spread. Approximately 2.0 meters with a            cylindrical shape. The whole orchard was oriented to a            central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0            meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line.            Vigor. Medium, tree growth reaching 0.60 to 0.80 meters the            first growing season. Productivity. Good to very good            productivity, every year. The new variety produces adequate            fruit set annually on a regular basis. The number of the            fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultivar practices employed during the bloom period, and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety. Bearer.            Very regular and quantitative. The extinction of the            clusters of May improves the calibre and firmness of the            fruit. Form. Naturally spreading to semi-upright. Hardiness.            Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of France and            especially where the chilling requirement is between 350 and            1200 hours. No injury with a temperatures as low as −12° C.            in winter. Good resistance to late frosts.        -   Trunk.—Size. Medium. Measured between 100 and 115            millimeters above 20.0 centimeters from ground, on 5^(th)            growing season. Bark texture. Smooth to rough, due to the            lenticels. Lenticels. High number of lenticels. The number            of lenticels reaches 3 to 4 lenticels per cm². At the 5^(th)            growing season, lenticels are 2.5 to 4.0 millimeters in            height and 6.0 to 12.0 millimeters in width. Lenticels            color. Color of lenticels is RHS Greyed Orange N167 B or RHS            Greyed Orange N170 A. Bark color. Grey silver brown (RHS            Greyed Orange 166 A or RHS Greyed Orange 177 A).        -   Branches.—Size. Medium to large for the new growth. Medium            to large for the branches at the 5^(th) growing season.            Diameter. Average diameter of 35.0 to 50.0 millimeters.            Surface texture. Smooth. Wood that is several years old has            no furrowed appearance. Color. Old growth is brown (RHS            Brown 200 B). Current season shoots: Diameter. Average            diameter from 5.0 to 9.0 millimeters. Surface texture.            Smooth. Wood that is several years old has no furrowed            appearance. Crotch angles. Primary branches are considered            variable, but the crotch angles are generally between 75            degrees and 85 degrees from the horizontal axis. This            particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of            the variety, however. Internode. Generally from 52.0            millimeters to 70.0 millimeters length. Color. New growth is            orange brown more or less dark (RHS Greyed Orange 165 A or            RHS Greyed Orange 166 A).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium for the species. Leaf measurements have been            taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at            approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is            2.05.        -   Length.—From 123.0 to 144.0 millimeters with leaf petiole.            Average length with petiole 135.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—From 58.0 to 74.0 millimeters. Average width 66.0            millimeters.        -   Leaf form in cross view.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate to spatulate (spoon-shaped) with an            elliptic shape.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark green (RHS GREEN 137            A). Lower surface. A lighter green than the upper leaf            surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN 147 B). Leaf texture. Smooth and            glabrous. The lower surface is also smooth. Leaf venation.            Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 144 D or RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 B to C) and evolves with            maturity. Leaf margins. Slightly undulating. Form.            Considered slightly dentate. Uniformity. Leaves are            isolated.        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered medium to long. Length.            About 40.0 to 52.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 2.0            millimeters. Color. Upper surface pale red (RHS GREYED            PURPLE N186 C or RHS GREYED BROWN N199 B). Lower surface            light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A). Ratio blade            length/petiole length. More or less 2.93.        -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered medium. Their length is about            2.0 millimeters. Number. Generally 2. Type. Reniform. Color.            Orange brown (RHS GREYED ORANGE 165 B or 166 B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,            the floral bunches are make up with 4 to 8 floral buds            having a conic shape with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 7.0            millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 millimeters long.            Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of green            color (RHS GREEN 138 A to C or RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 A to B)            with brown areas (RHS GREYED RED GROUP 179 B to C); the            corolla formed by petals, is generally pure white (RHS WHITE            155 D). Hardiness. The buds are considered hardy under            typical central Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic            conditions. No winter injury was noted during the last            several years of evaluation in the central            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter temperatures as            low as −10° C. in January. The current variety has not been            intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the            variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to            temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature            between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer. Date of            bloom. Generally late March. The first bloom was observed on            Mar. 31 until Apr. 9, 2007. Last fourth blooms took place            respectively from Mar. 23 until Apr. 4, 2009, then from Apr.            4 to Apr. 14, 2010 (exceptionally late due to winter            climatic conditions in March 2010), from Mar. 21 to Apr. 1,            2011 and from Mar. 31 to Apr. 8, 2012. Blooming time.            Considered semi-early in relative comparison to other            commercial cherry cultivars grown in the Pyrénées-Orientales            department, France. The date of full bloom is observed at            the middle of the blooming period. The date of bloom varies            slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.            Blooming period. Average 10 days. This characteristic varies            slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. Flower            type. The variety is considered to have a showy type flower.            Flower size. Considered large. Average diameter between 30.0            and 38.0 millimeters when totally opened. Bloom quantity.            Considered abundant, approximately 60 flowers per meter.            Flower bud frequency. Generally 3 to 5 flower buds appear            per node.        -   Petal.—Size. Considered medium for the species. Length.            Generally about 16.2 millimeters. Width. Generally about            14.2 millimeters. Petal form. Large form, elliptic, usually            slightly overlapping. Petal count. Nearly always 5. Petal            texture. Smooth and soft. Petal color. Pure white color (RHS            WHITE 155 D) on both surfaces. Fragrance. Very soft.        -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately 7.0            millimeters. Width. Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Petal            margins. Smooth with a very slightly undulating.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally wide            dome shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having            an average length of approximately 16.0 to 25.0 millimeters.            Diameter. Average 1.0 millimeter. Color. Green (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 144 A to B).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth and glabrous. Color.            The inner surface is yellow green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 151 A to            B). The outer surface of the calyx is green (RHS YELLOW            GREEN 144 A to B) with pink purple zones (RHS GREYED RED 179            B to C).        -   Sepals.—Surface texture. The outer surface has a thin            texture. Size. Usually considered medium. Elliptic shape.            Color. The upper surface is green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A            to B) with pink purple zones (RHS GREYED RED 179 B to C).            Average number of stamens per flower. Between 35 and 39            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Form. Cardioid. Position of stamens            relative to petals. Below. Color. Yellow orange red color            (RHS GREYED ORANGE 163 B to C). The color evolves with            flowering. Pollen production. Pollen is abundant, and has a            yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 B to C) that varies with            maturity. The fertility has not been check yet. However,            because of the considerable amount of pollen that is            product, the pollination is performed as expected.        -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately between            8.0 and 12.0 millimeters in length. Color. Considered as            white (RHS WHITE 155 D).        -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately from 15.0            to 16.0 millimeters including the ovary, that is slightly            longer than stamens length. Color. Considered very pale            green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 149 B to C). The color is evolving            with flowering. Surface texture. Glabrous. Pubescence.            Absent.        -   Type of reproduction.—Pollination.-   Fruits:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm at maturity.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 2, 2007 varies slightly with            climatic conditions. Particularly late in 2010 because March            2010 was very cold.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 8, 2007 varies slightly with            climatic conditions. Particularly late in 2010 because March            2010 was very cold. Last known picking times carry on from            Jun. 1 to Jun. 5, 2008, then from May 28 to Jun. 5, 2009,            then from Jun. 11 to Jun. 14, 2010, then from May 23 to May            27, 2011 and from Jun. 7 to Jun. 14, 2012.        -   Ripening period.—Approximately 4 to 6 days.        -   Size.—Generally. Considered large, with a homogeneous size            between them. Clusters of 1 to 3 fruits. Average cheek            diameter. About 26.0 to 29.0 millimeters. Average axial            diameter. About 23.0 to 25.0 millimeters. Typical weight.            Generally about 11.5 to 12.0 grams. This characteristic is            highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and            therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. Reniform to slightly cardioid. Fruit            suture. Wide mouthed, extending from the base to the apex.            No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture            line. Without mucrons that is to say the fruit is not            mucronate and does not have a proeminence like a tip.        -   Suture.—Color. This has generally a color similar to the            blush fruit color, a homogenous red (RHS RED 53 A or RHS RED            46 A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Apex. In slight depression,            very small, non prominent. Base. Semi-flared. Shallow. Stem            cavity. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 3.0            millimeters. Average width is about 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered smooth and medium thick,            and tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.            Tenacity. Tenacious to flesh. Texture. Smooth. Taste.            Semi-sweet, sugared, aromatic. Tendency to crack. None.        -   Color.—Blush color. This blush color is a homogenous red            (RHS RED 53 A or RHS RED 46 A) on the whole fruit. Fruit            stem. Medium in length, approximately 35.0 to 42.0            millimeters. The stem is firmly attached to the fruit.            Diameter. Approximately 1.5 millimeters. Color. Light green            (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. Homogenous and regular. Texture. Very            crunchy, luscious, juicy. Fibers. No fibers. Firmness. Very            firm. Aroma. Pronounced aroma. Eating quality. Very good,            very sweet, aromatic. Flavor. Semi-sweet, very sugared,            aromatic. Slow acidic level. Juicy and aromatic. Juice.            Large amount, very juicy. Color of juice is considered pink            red (RHS PURPLE 63 A). Brix. Superior to 15.0 degrees until            more or less 20.0 degrees, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions. Color. Red (RHS RED            36 D) at ripening time; with a slightly red pigmentation            (RHS RED 53 B) near the apex and around the stone.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-Clingstone at fruits picking.        -   Size.—Medium for the variety.        -   Length.—Average 10.0 millimeters. A        -   Width.—Average width 8.5 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Average diameter 6.5 millimeters.        -   Form.—Round to slightly elliptic.        -   Base.—Generally round.        -   Apex.—Round.        -   Stone cavity.—Small to medium with a form and dimensions            corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. Smooth. Ridges. None,            smooth. Tendency to split. Splitting is absent.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. Very shallow, more or less 1.0            millimeter.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Full, with a slight relief. Stone color.            The color of the dry stone is yellow (RHS GREYED YELLOW 161            D). Tendency to split. None.        -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 8.0 millimeters. Width.            About 5.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 4.0 millimeters.            Form. Elliptic, with a sharp apex and a round base.            Pellicle. Not pubescent. Color. The kernel skin is orange            brown (RHS GREYED YELLOW 162 D). The almond, which is the            seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS WHITE 155 B). The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.-   Use: Dessert. Fresh products.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance. On the tree fruits can stay            10 days while keeping good gustative qualities. The lifetime            after picking is also good.-   Keeping quality: Good, held well for 30 days in cold storage at    2° C. and maintained good appearance and eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal bruising or scarring during    picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: Specific tests were    run with regards to Monilia and ‘FIRELAM’ variety seems to be low    sensitive to Monilia. Moreover ‘FIRELAM’ is low sensitive to other    observed pathologies, to rupture and to conservation pathologies.    “To be low sensitive” means that the variety ‘FIRELAM’ resists to    Monilia and can present only minor symptoms which do not prevent its    development.

The present new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées Orientales (66),France (FR).

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its fruit and especially byits large size, its dark red skin color, its firmness, good flavor andeating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its good handlingand storage qualities.